Haliotis cracherodii (Black Abalone)
Credit: Nathaniel Fletcher
about the species
Black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii) are large marine gastropods that inhabit rocky shorelines from the high intertidal zone to ~6 meters depth. Their current range is from Point Arena in northern California to Southern Baja California. Black abalone were once a dominant species in rocky intertidal communities throughout central and southern California. The species experienced massive population declines due to a fatal disease called withering syndrome. In 2009, black abalone were listed as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
why species was selected
Black abalone experienced massive population declines due to a fatal disease called withering syndrome (WS). In southern California, populations have declined by >90% since the late 1980s, and in areas where populations were decimated by WS, only small remnant populations remain. The species is now listed as Endangered and understanding its genomic diversity is an important component for its management and recovery.
